These are images that you rarely, if ever, see: Five thousand runners preparing for an event that could change their lives and certainly boost their self-confidence. DJs are getting the runners going three hours before the start. Videographers and photographers in their droves in the crowd. And then, when the event starts right on time, there are over 30 camera drones in the air.
ULTRA GOBI series 2025 began on schedule today (1 October) with the first competitions(A: 121km team / B: 121km stage / C: 17km), but the ‘experience day’ wasn’t necessarily about the results. It was exciting to observe the orderly chaos instead. Each participating working group has its own colour: green stands for media professionals and blue for volunteers, for example. Around 238 volunteers were needed, and 2611 people applied to be involved.
One of the lucky ones is Linying, a dentist from Shandong who has taken time off from her job at a hospital in Chengdu to be here again. “I like the spirit of the event, and I want to play my part in making it a success.” Perhaps she will compete in one of the upcoming editions herself. Linying completes the half marathon in under 90 minutes and the full marathon in under four hours. “ULTRA GOBI motivates and inspires a healthy lifestyle!”
Hailing also from Chengdu, Huang Jiang is a data analyst at UESTC. Today, however, he is sweating his way through the first of four stages in the 121 km team competition in temperatures of 30°C. ‘ULTRA GOBI is a great experience; it’s already worth every drop of sweat,’ he says. He and his colleagues have big sporting ambitions: “We want to finish in the top ten!”
The destination for the first day is in the middle of nowhere, where a tent city has been set up for the 5,000 participants. This includes restaurants, activity zones, and everything else you could need. Spectacular images are also captured here by camera drones. And this is only the beginning of the journey.
